Ethan Smith, a musician hailing from the distant shores of Cape Town, South Africa, moved to Krakow in September 2016. Smith started building his career in Poland from the ground up – literally. For his first few years in Krakow, he was seen performing on the street in Krakow’s Main Market Square. Smith believes it’s been one of the most rewarding endeavours that was key to his successes in the Polish music scene.

“Most of, if not all, of my professional contacts and friends in Krakow I’ve met while I was playing out on the street. Either directly or indirectly,” Smith says. And when asked why he chose Krakow, a question he says he is asked very often, he usually responds by saying “I like it here. I like Krakow, and it seems Krakow likes me too.”

It seems Krakow likes him indeed. This was further confirmed when a mural of Smith was painted by a local Krakow artist Marcin Nawrocki on a wall at Rondo Mogilskie, which is one of Krakow’s busiest traffic hubs.

“It’s an incredible honour. And the best part of it all is that I didn’t know it was going to happen. I didn’t know the artist before this moment, and he only knew of me from seeing me play on the street. It was a complete surprise. I simply had a photo of the mural sent to me via text by a friend of mine. A cherished moment indeed. And it’s been a great addition to my CV too.”

Over these years, Smith has become involved in a handful of musical projects in Krakow. Notable band projects include Neon Faces, Oneiric Dunes, and The Afronauts. Smith has also appeared with respected foreign musicians, most notably the Syrian musician and composer Wassim Ibrahim.

Even though Smith has graduated to playing at popular music venues and festivals in Krakow and around Poland, he continues to play on the street. “It keeps me honest and remains one of the truest means of artistic expression. No lights, no fireworks, no spectacle. Just unadulterated music; the very melodies that accompany the stories in the hearts of the people.”